Hi, I don't really know much about rabbits (much as I love them to bits) but my friend was saying that she wants to get one for her two kids (they are 10 and 12 years old - that should be old enough to help look after him/her??) and was asking if I know what type of rabbit was friendly etc and generally the best pet rabbit to get. Anyone any ideas? I know they don't want one of those giant house rabbits as it will be living outside.

Thanks
Laura

p.s. sorry forgot to ask - where is the best place to get one?

Why not get them to look up their nearest rescue centre as these places are bursting at the seams with rabbits looking for loving homes.
As for breeds I would suggest something small like a mini lop or maybe a lionhead but would stay away from long haired varieties as they do need regular grooming annd extra care to keep them free from matts and risk from fly strike.

I will say alot of lion head rabbits i know of are a little tempremental more so with the females. Although calm a little after being neutered. She will have to get her rabbit vacinated against VHD Viral hemmerrage diease and mixamotosis. The netherland dwarf is a good childs size rabbit and not to strong in the legs. Becareful as they can suffer with there teeth make sure its teeth are in line with each other top and bottom. The dutch rabbit is a hardy rabbit generally and also not to large. Ive kept rabbits and guinea pigs in my time and to be really honest ive found guinea pigs easyier to care for and a better handling size for children. They also dont need jabs just a general check up each year any nail clipping and plenty of hay water and guinea pig mix. combined with fresh fruit and veg. Have found males are more loving and easy to hand tame if started at a young age and done with care and gentle handling. Guinea pigs can be a bit skitty when there very young. Guniea pigs do tend to be better if given shelter in the winter months. Also the holland dwarf lop is a nice size rabbit.

i agree with everything you have said Sullivan except rabbits top teeth should overlap the bottom teeth, i use to have a mini lop with malloclusion & i had to trim the regularly.

__________________
"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, and out voted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes."
L David Mech

We have doomed the Wolf not for what it is, but for what we have deliberately and mistakenly perceived it to be..the mythologized epitome of a savage, ruthless killer..which is, in reality no more than a reflexed images of ourself." -Farley Mowat

Maybe a Dwarf Lop? I'm biased though and gunna say English Spotted - mine was one of those good luck in your search

Thanks for the replies. Do you know if you can keep two rabbits together or is it best to have separate hutches? What about a rabbit and guinee pig (sorry if spelt wrong!!) so that they have some company for each other when the kids are at school.

i think rabbits do need company of their own kind but never mix rabbit with a guinea pig it can be dangerous for the GP & many get injured. Obviously make sure you get 2 of the same sex or a neutered male & female. If you do get males it might be best to get them both neutered although i have known 2 brothers live happily together, i'm sure someone on here will give you good advise though.

__________________
"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, and out voted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes."
L David Mech

We have doomed the Wolf not for what it is, but for what we have deliberately and mistakenly perceived it to be..the mythologized epitome of a savage, ruthless killer..which is, in reality no more than a reflexed images of ourself." -Farley Mowat

Ah I didn't know that you couldn't keep rabbits and guinea pigs together thanks for the info. I have been looking at some local rescue places so I will take my friend and her kids there to have a nose at the different rabbits they have, many of which come as a pair.

Thanks for the help.

that sounds like a great idea & so lovely of you to give the unwanted a home

__________________
"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, and out voted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes."
L David Mech

We have doomed the Wolf not for what it is, but for what we have deliberately and mistakenly perceived it to be..the mythologized epitome of a savage, ruthless killer..which is, in reality no more than a reflexed images of ourself." -Farley Mowat

I had two rabbits that lived separately and I think that they were getting depressed and lonely. I've managed to bond them and they are so happy. Rabbits love to cuddle and groom each other (if they get on) and I will always get two together from now on if I can.